SLATE HILL — Team captains are often referred to as coaches on the field.

In Alex Gallagher's case, it was in the genes.

Kevin Gallagher has been coaching wrestling and football at Minisink Valley for 25 years. Alex is the middle of three daughters, all of whom play soccer. Through osmosis and years of hanging out with her dad on all sorts of sidelines, Alex has learned what it takes to be a leader and a respectful athlete.

"I have been able to watch Alex grow from her freshman year to her senior year,'' said Minisink girls' soccer coach Erin Natalizio. "She has really stepped up as a role model, a leader and a positive influence, both on and off the field. She is one of our go-to players as a spark plug and a leader by example, but also as a vocal leader, as well — when she needs to get the team going, she has the right things to say to get them into shape.''

No doubt, Alex has listened to her father offer up a speech or two and has drawn on his leadership skills.

"My dad is 100 percent optimistic,'' she said. "He is always trying to get everyone to look on the bright side of things. He makes sure everyone works as hard as they possibly can and give 110 percent every time. He is always working hard ... and that just inspires me to work hard, too.''

Alex said her dad "was so proud of me'' when she was named a team captain this season, a role she cherishes.

"I love being a captain," she said. "I love being a leader and having the young girls look up to me. I love getting the girls' heads into the game and focused.''

Kevin is not surprised his daughter has become a top-flight player and risen to the position of captain.

"I think it's a combination of her ability and a lot of hard work,'' he said. "She knows it takes hard work and discipline and doing the extra things. Being around athletics all her life, I think it gives her an insight to what it takes.''

Residing in the same school building has never been an issue for the Gallaghers, although some football players have taken to clamming up around Alex if they think she shouldn't hear something.

"It's good because all the teachers know me,'' said Alex, who is often referred to as "coach's daughter,'' and "little Gallagher.''

"It's good to be able to see your kid when you need to or just to say hi to them,'' he said.

With Alex playing her final season of varsity ball, Kevin wanted to make sure he didn't miss too many of her games, so with the approval of his team, he's moved some practices to evenings, which allows him to watch her play. At the moment, Alex is considering Misericordia, Southern Connecticut, American International and Bloomsburg as college destinations where she can continue playing soccer.

Natalizio is thankful Kevin hasn't enlisted Alex to be a kicker for the football team, something that is not uncommon for soccer players.

"We did discuss that a couple times,'' Kevin said, "but it just didn't work out. We always had a good kicker while she has been going through it. If we didn't, I might have been calling her.''

Kevin playfully downplays his knowledge of soccer — "You have to kick it in the net,'' he said — so his coaching advice is usually less on the technical and more on the procedural.

"He tells me I should do this and this,'' Alex said. "Sometimes it makes sense but I usually say, 'I got this.' "